The Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing was approved by the University of Manitoba Senate on April 5, 2017 and officially launched on June 2, 2017.

Dr. Brian Postl, Dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and Vice-Provost (Health Sciences) initiated the planning process with Vice-Dean, Indigenous Health Dr. Catherine Cook. Today, the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing/Ongomiizwin is the largest Indigenous education and health unit in Canada.

The Institute aims to provide leadership and advance excellence in research, education and health services in collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. Its work is guided by Knowledge Keepers and Elders and helps to achieve health and wellness of Indigenous peoples.

The institute brings together at the Faculty level three units that were formerly part of the Max Rady College of Medicine:

• The Manitoba First Nations Centre for Aboriginal Health Research
• The Centre for Aboriginal Health Education
• The J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit

These units have been renamed:

• Ongomiizwin – Research
• Ongomiizwin – Education
• Ongomiizwin – Health Services

Ongomiizwin (Clearing a path for generations to come) has a permanent place in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, affirming the University of Manitoba’s commitment to building respectful relationships and creating pathways to Indigenous health, healing and achievement.

It is significant that the institute’s name encompasses not only health, but healing. Ongomiizwin supports spiritual healing from the ongoing legacies of colonialism as part of the reconciliation process.

Ongomiizwin provides leadership in Indigenous health across the five colleges of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and rehabilitation sciences) in the areas of education, research and health services.